Double Din Install Suggestions
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 2
From: Humble TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Double Din Install Suggestions
I'm getting ready to install this new HU. I haven't installed a stereo in a car in twenty years and I'm wondering if I should even attempt this install. I'm a fairly handy guy and do most of my own work but I also hate to get into something if I'm not 100% sure I'll be able to complete it. I've read up as much info as I could find here on the forum. Here are the items I've acquired so far.
DOUBLE DIN BEZEL (thanks to Dennis doubledmods.com)
KENWOOD DNX6140
BLACK BOX KR1 (video bypass)
KCA-XM100V XM SATELLITE RADIO ADAPTER
KENWOOD KCA-IP300V
SOUNDGATE GMCRV2
METRA 70-1858 (package says 80-1858?)
At this point I'm going to keep the factory speakers. What would you rate this on a scale of 1 to 10 as far as difficultly? Any and all suggestions are appreciated.
DOUBLE DIN BEZEL (thanks to Dennis doubledmods.com)
KENWOOD DNX6140
BLACK BOX KR1 (video bypass)
KCA-XM100V XM SATELLITE RADIO ADAPTER
KENWOOD KCA-IP300V
SOUNDGATE GMCRV2
METRA 70-1858 (package says 80-1858?)
At this point I'm going to keep the factory speakers. What would you rate this on a scale of 1 to 10 as far as difficultly? Any and all suggestions are appreciated.
Last edited by De_Vette; Apr 29, 2009 at 12:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 2
From: Humble TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Forgot to add that metra 40-gm10 , it's coming from Dennis along with brackets. So I'll be able to program the GPS without that black box even while in drive?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 408
From: Greer, SC
You do not need anything to allow the GPS in the Kenwood DNX6140 to work while in drive. All you need to do is ground the "parking brake" wire. That allows you to play DVD's and program the GPS without the parking brake being applied. Not that I'd ever do that since it is very unsafe.
Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,721
Likes: 4,557
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
no black box BS with the kenwoods.
tie your parking wire to the rest of your ground wires and you're good to go.
i've read that some of the other brands of headunits check the ebrake wire for ground *after* the car is turned on so it would need a switch to rig it to work while in motion.
i'm so glad kenwood doesn't make you jump through those hoops.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 2
From: San Diego CA
You do not need anything to allow the GPS in the Kenwood DNX6140 to work while in drive. All you need to do is ground the "parking brake" wire. That allows you to play DVD's and program the GPS without the parking brake being applied. Not that I'd ever do that since it is very unsafe.
Just did it with my kenwood 5120 kit from Dennis.
I would rate the install about a five....... just take your time and it will go well.
Make sure to have Dennis send you Pentavolvo's installation directions. The directions/photos helped me out immensely.
Pay attention to the direction of splicing the illumination wire to the gray wire "in the end position" of the HVAC plug. I saw two gray wires and was confused until I read it was the one on the end of the connector.
Grounding the parking brake wire was essential for me, otherwise my copilot would get real bored....!!
Good luck..
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 2
From: Humble TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
The directions I got from Dennis didn't come through with the pics attached. Anyone able to help me out with the directions with pics?
Thanks for the heads up on the black box. I guess I'll be shipping that right back. Thanks for all the tips so far. I'm fairly nervous about tearing my baby apart but it's not my DD and there's really no time limit on getting the job done.
I am going to drill out the braces using an angle drill. This as good as cutting with a sawzaw?
Thanks for the heads up on the black box. I guess I'll be shipping that right back. Thanks for all the tips so far. I'm fairly nervous about tearing my baby apart but it's not my DD and there's really no time limit on getting the job done.
I am going to drill out the braces using an angle drill. This as good as cutting with a sawzaw?
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 2
From: Humble TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
You do not need anything to allow the GPS in the Kenwood DNX6140 to work while in drive. All you need to do is ground the "parking brake" wire. That allows you to play DVD's and program the GPS without the parking brake being applied. Not that I'd ever do that since it is very unsafe.
Actually, I'm the type of driver that would actually pull over to use the Nav, but the wife (co-pilot) will be with me alot of the time so.......
Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,721
Likes: 4,557
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
^ i would think so too but i saw one of the other threads that shows them drilling out the rivets and flipping the bracket upside down. then the bracket gets bolted to the cage and supports the double din's body.
i didn't do that in my installation but i wish i did as now the only thing supporting the double din is the two front bolts.
i didn't do that in my installation but i wish i did as now the only thing supporting the double din is the two front bolts.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Barrie ON
Nice Bezel
I am about to have my Pioneer AVIC-F700 installed in my 2000 coupe and I need to order the double D bezel. Great photo. I love the carbon fibre look.
What did you pay for that versus the standard look?
Are you happy with it? How long did it take to get? (the 4-6 weeks stated on the website?)
What did you pay for that versus the standard look?
Are you happy with it? How long did it take to get? (the 4-6 weeks stated on the website?)
Last edited by 4mysnty; Apr 30, 2009 at 10:15 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 2
From: Humble TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
I am about to have my Pioneer AVIC-F700 installed in my 2000 coupe and I need to order the double D bezel. Great photo. I love the carbon fibre look.
What did you pay for that versus the standard look?
Are you happy with it? How long did it take to get? (the 4-6 weeks stated on the website?)
What did you pay for that versus the standard look?
Are you happy with it? How long did it take to get? (the 4-6 weeks stated on the website?)
http://www.americanhydrocarbon.com/. The time there is dependant on Pat I suppose. The quality is great and I'm having Pat do a few more interior items currently. I'm very happy I went the CF route and I think it's going to look great when I finish.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 2
From: Holland Landing Ontario
I just finished my install of a Kenwood DNX 7120 w/ speakers in mine. Here's a couple of comments.
1. Use a sawsall to remove the bracket. I tried a right-angle drill and it was taking forever. I pulled out the sawsall and had it out in seconds.
2. Do not use the constant voltage supply wire from the Bose harness to supply the constant power to the new Kenwood. Go directly from the battery and install an in-line fuse.
3. Do your research on the rest of the wiring and you should be OK.
4. C5Bearsfan (AKA Dennis) does great work. You have 2 options with the bezel. One that retains the ashtray, and one that doesn't. I chose the former and I am very pleased with the result.
5. As others have said, ground out the handbreak cable to bypass the lockout crap. Just use any of the screws up around the H/U to do this.
6. I agree that the job is about a 5. Do your research and take your time. Make sure you remove the back part of the console before trying to remove the old bezel.
7. The Bose speakers suck. I am very glad I changed mine out. I posted a lot of my experience in the C5 thread at the top of the page, along with some pics. It adds to the workload, but well worth it.
Best of luck on the install.
1. Use a sawsall to remove the bracket. I tried a right-angle drill and it was taking forever. I pulled out the sawsall and had it out in seconds.
2. Do not use the constant voltage supply wire from the Bose harness to supply the constant power to the new Kenwood. Go directly from the battery and install an in-line fuse.
3. Do your research on the rest of the wiring and you should be OK.
4. C5Bearsfan (AKA Dennis) does great work. You have 2 options with the bezel. One that retains the ashtray, and one that doesn't. I chose the former and I am very pleased with the result.
5. As others have said, ground out the handbreak cable to bypass the lockout crap. Just use any of the screws up around the H/U to do this.
6. I agree that the job is about a 5. Do your research and take your time. Make sure you remove the back part of the console before trying to remove the old bezel.
7. The Bose speakers suck. I am very glad I changed mine out. I posted a lot of my experience in the C5 thread at the top of the page, along with some pics. It adds to the workload, but well worth it.
Best of luck on the install.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 477
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles California
I do these installs all the time I have 20 or more under my belt IMO if you cut out the brackets you just destroyed them. If the customer ever wanted to go back to stock to sell the car or trade it in new brackets would have to be made! If you drill out the rivets ( useing the right tools) the brackets can be reinstalled in the factory postion and all factory equipment can be reinstalled just as it came from GM.
Last edited by CACorvetteCustoms; May 1, 2009 at 12:38 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,718
Likes: 20
From: Dyer IN
Cruise-In IX Veteran
really you cant put factory radio back in without the brackets... ill bet u a large sum of money you can and i have done well over 20 also.. those brackets are not needed to hold the oem radio, as well drilling is just creating an expoential amount of work
Last edited by pentavolvo; May 1, 2009 at 01:47 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 2
From: Humble TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
I guess I read somewhere about drilling out the top bracket and flipping it upside-down for the head unit to rest on. Sounds like it's not necessary.
Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,721
Likes: 4,557
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here